Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2013
605. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a public transport walking initiative in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41873/13]
View answerI am very familiar with the Initiative referred to in this PQ having met with Mr. Murphy in August this year. My Department has endeavoured to respond to the correspondence received and I have also sought the views of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on the matter. I have commend the work that Mr Murphy is doing in terms of promoting the “Sli na Slainte” walking initiative.
Mr Murphy proposes the use of signage on buses, trains and Luas stops/stations that would incorporate the Sli na Slainte logo. These signs would advocate walking 30 minutes every day. While I fully support the intention of such a campaign, given the undeniable benefits of walking from a health and environmental perspective, it is the case that this campaign fits more under the umbrella of a health initiative than a public transport initiative. Nevertheless I did meet with Mr Murphy and a representative of the NTA to assess the potential of assisting in this initiative. The NTA indicated that they cannot accommodate the “Sli na Slainte” symbol and message on bus stop information panels, due to space restrictions, bilingual requirements and overall legibility of the information sign.
In relation to bus shelters, where more space is available for information panels, the NTA intends providing local area maps with transport information as well as local area destination information. As part of the local area map, the Authority will be including a walking distance indicator from the bus shelter location, in a style that is in keeping with the overall mapping. The NTA have undertaken to meet with Mr Murphy along with their graphic designers to examine design options to also incorporate a version of this health message on the bus shelter information panels. I understand that this engagement is to take place shortly.
